Isel House & Park

Isel House is integral to our local history and tells the story of the Marsden's, one of Nelson's first families. Thomas and Mary Marsden arrived in Nelson aboard the Prince of Wales in 1842.

By 1848, their 930-acre property made them the largest landowners in Nelson province. Thomas was also a keen botanist, a jeweller, a watchmaker, and a farmer. He planned and planted a sprawling English-style park, some of which still survive today. Son James further developed the family’s large and reputable library and was also a successful run holder—known particularly for sheep breeding and cropping.

Isel House is not just an ordinary museum-type homestead. It speaks of one of Nelson’s original families and their place in the township of Stoke and Nelson. It has been restored using layers of history, from the ornate style of the Victorian era to the modernist style of the 1950s.

It features a large stained-glass skylight, a lovingly carved stairway, and striking wood panelling that echo its Victorian heyday. Many beautiful items, including 17th—19th-century European furniture, large paintings, and delicate ceramics, which were originally owned by the Marsdens, still adorn the House.

Upstairs, rooms have been conserved, and displays relating to the house’s history, the grounds, and the community of Stoke have been held.

Much of Isel's restoration was managed by the Isel House Charitable Trust under the supervision of curator Sally Papps. The House and extensive park grounds are now owned and managed by the Nelson City Council.

Contact details

Address: 16 Hilliard Street, Nelson 7011
Email: Isel.House@ncc.govt.nz
Phone: +64 3 5471347